In the wake of an infectious disease outbreak, monitor your own physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones. Know how to relieve stress, and know when to get help. Set boundaries around how much time you spend reading or watching news related to COVID-19. While it is important to stay up to date on the current situation, it is also imperative to take time away from the news to focus on your mental health and things in your life you can control. By monitoring your body sensations, emotional responses, and thoughts you have a better understanding of how you are handling COVID-19.

Mental Health and Coping (CDC)

During this time, it is important to understand people often cope with stressful situations in different ways. For some, stressful situations cause little, if any, additional anxiety, but for others stress can create heightened anxiety levels. People with mental health conditions typically fall into the latter group, and their anxiety levels can skyrocket during stressful situations. It is important to understand how you respond to stressful situations, and to develop ways to cope when stress arises.

How to Talk to Your Kids About CoronaVirus (PBS)

Mister Rogers once said: “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary.” Children experience anxiety during stressful situations, and need to have a safe place to talk about these fears. Set aside some time each day to chat with your children. If you are unsure where to start, follow this 3-step model: 1) share appropriate facts & correct any misinformation your children have shared with you; 2) assure your children they are safe; and 3) emphasize simple ways your family can fight germs.

Coronavirus: Mental Health and Coping Strategies (NAMI)

While social distancing is good for our physical health during this pandemic, it often leads to loneliness. Feelings of loneliness can have adverse impacts on our mental and physical health. It is important to stay connected as much as possible, even though that might mean reaching out in new ways (e.g.,skype, writing letters.) If your loved one appears to be isolating, reach out to them and be ready to listen to their concerns and share yours. Find distractions to fill your extra time, such as household chores, gardening, streaming a good show on Netflix, or helping others. Above everything else, practice self-care — make sure you are eating healthy, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep.